Announcements

In commemoration of International Mother Earth Day, MDPI is organizing a special webinar to bring together researchers and experts to share their thoughts on raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection and addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, ecosystem recovery, and sustainable development.

The theme of the webinar revolves around fostering a deeper understanding of humanity’s role in preserving our planet for future generations, as well as the crucial roles of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices in preserving our ecosystems for future generations. This webinar will provide a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange on the importance of climate change and the importance of the recovery of our ecosystems.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the presenters below.

Any interesting suggestions regarding topics and speakers are welcome.

Date: 22 April 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. CEST | 4:30 p.m. AEST | 2:30 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 878 0932 6864

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available to watch.

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Speakers:

• Prof. Károly Németh, ¹ National Program of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; ² Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Sopron, Hungary; ³ Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa SW Pacific, Opotiki, New Zealand;
• Prof. Brendan Macke, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.

For more information about this webinar, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/MEDW2025?subscribe.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact journal.webinar@mdpi.com.

MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar Secretariat

Name: Prof. Idiano D’Adamo 
Affiliation: Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering Sapienza University of Rome, Via Ariosto 25, 00185 Rome, Italy
Research interests: bioeconomy; biomethane; circular economy; e-waste; economic analysis; photovoltaic; renewable energy; sustainability; waste management

The following is a short interview with Prof. Idiano D’Adamo:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play a fundamental role in guiding global development towards a more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable future. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 17 SDGs offer a common framework for tackling the world's main challenges, ranging from poverty and hunger to climate change and inequality.
Sustainability is not just an interest, but a conscious and passionate choice. The answer to this vision is that a purely ideological approach, separated from concrete reality, does not allow us to improve our current situation, hence the need to adopt a pragmatic approach. In this way, what is born from thought must be put to the test of experience, trying to identify not only an abstract model but also a concrete solution. Theories and words are not enough; real actions and facts are necessary.
Pragmatic sustainability is a model that considers the three fundamental dimensions—environmental, economic, and social—and does not limit itself to theorizing a concept, but ensures that it is effectively applied in practice, concretizing itself through analyses that support its validity. Pragmatic sustainability is based on the concept of altruism, just like the morning sentinels celebrated by San Giovanni Paolo II, who defended “life at every moment of its earthly development” to make it “increasingly habitable for all”.

The idea is to maintain the rigor of this Section where the reject rate is high because when critical issues are highlighted, the utmost attention must be paid. The success of these 2 years derives from the synergy between all the members of the editorial team as it is necessary to work in a climate of harmony. This Section has the characteristic that a clear reference to the SDGs must be made within the manuscript. This objective is like the lighthouse that guides a ship in a storm. Publication times depend on many aspects, but it is always advisable to have at least two complete reviews. Long publication times risk losing the novelty of the work. Similarly, editors cannot keep scientific papers parked in their emails. Science must be respected, regardless of one's role. This Section will be able to continue without me because we must leave behind a method that the younger generation will be able to continue and probably do even better than us. The future goal of this Section is to preserve its quality.

Scopus recently proposed indications on authors in relation to the SDGs. This aspect must become a greater part of everyday life. This Section bases its strategy on always emphasizing the idea that scientific works that talk about sustainability should identify specifically which SDG they can achieve.
Sustainability is not a simple challenge; it requires big changes. The strength of this Section is the heart of those who work there and try to convey their passion for the topic of sustainability. We are a big family thanks to the excellent EBMs, managing editors, and assistant editors who work together in synergy. The concept of a sustainable community brings together the various stakeholders.

It is a great opportunity but also a potential risk. Its main advantage is that it allows everyone to read scientific works, especially young people, giving them the pleasant feeling of reading a work and who knows, maybe one day becoming a scientific author. Its main disadvantage is that there is a risk of giving too much importance to the economic aspects and it could prevent developing countries, as well as young researchers, from having the funds to be able to publish. The challenge of finding a balance must be sought in light of the dynamism that characterizes the scientific publishing market.

An article should be written because you are passionate about it, not because you need to advance your career. An article requires your name because you worked on this research, sometimes you even give up your free time because you hope that your results can be of help to others. Do not listen to those who want to teach you how to write articles, but then you never see them working on articles! Try to learn, try to find time with colleagues you respect, and, where you can, create a healthy network in order to acquire new skills. When you feel your passion waning, stop and experience nature. Sea or mountain, the important thing is to breathe clean air, help people in need, and respect the great gift of life.

Conference: The 5th Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference (in conjunction with the 1st ECS Thailand Meeting)
Organization: The Materials Research Society of Thailand (MRS-Thailand) and the Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology (SUT)
Date: 14–16 May 2025
Place: The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand

MDPI journals will be attending the 5th Materials Research Society of Thailand International Conference in conjunction with the 1st ECS Thailand Meeting, as exhibitors. This event will be held at the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand, from 14 to 16 May 2025.

MRS-Thailand 2025 celebrates the 35th anniversary of Thailand’s first regional university, where “technology is at the heart of what we do”. This year’s theme, “Innovations in Materials Science for Sustainable Development”, reflects the university’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration in the field.

MRS-Thailand is a prestigious international conference series organized by the Materials Research Society of Thailand (MRS-Thailand). Since its inception in 2017, MRS-Thailand has grown into a significant platform for researchers, scientists, engineers, and industry professionals to exchange insights, share innovative ideas, and foster collaborations in the field of materials science and engineering.

The following MDPI journal will be represented:

• Sustainability.

If you plan to attend this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

In collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Sustainability (ISSN: 2071-1050) and Coatings (ISSN: 2079-6412) are hosting a Scientific Publishing Workshop designed to educate attendees on the paper publication process and the ecosystem surrounding open access publishing. This session will cover a comprehensive introduction to the editorial process, providing valuable insights and instilling essential skills for structuring papers and replying to reviewers effectively. Additionally, participants will be instructed on methods to improve their scientific writing, with experts in the field leading the session to ensure a thorough understanding of how to escalate their publishing potential.

Date: 22 April 2025
Time: 13:00–17:00
Venue: ST602, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CF2VSH6

Schedule:

Profile:

	Prof. Xungai Wang (Chair)	Prof. Wang is Chair Professor of Fiber Science and Technology and a Global STEM Scholar at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Textile Institute.
	Ms. Sally Li MDPI Journal Development Editor	Ms. Sally (Sijia) Li graduated from the University of Sydney and joined MDPI in 2019. Previously served as Assistant Editor for Sustainability and Managing Editor for Urban Science, JTAER, and Hardware. Currently working as the Journal Development Editor for Sustainability and Head of Marketing Events. Based in MDPI’s Hong Kong office, responsible for market expansion and scholar services in the Greater Bay Area. She is committed to providing researchers with efficient and professional publishing support.
	Mr. Caleb Snider MDPI Deputy PR Director	Mr. Caleb Snider holds a Master’s degree in the Study of Religion from the University of Toronto, another Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Ottawa, and a post-graduate certificate in publishing from Humber College, Toronto. He joined MDPI in 2017 as an English Editor, and in 2020 was chosen to help found MDPI’s first North American office in Toronto, Canada as Deputy Operations Manager. In April 2022, he was promoted to Operations Manager of the Toronto office and oversaw the strategic planning and implementation of operational initiatives across the United States and Canada. In 2024, he was promoted to Public Affairs and Strategic Partnership Manager, engaging directly with both high-level institutional and government stakeholders in the Asia Pacific and individual scholars on a grassroots level in the Asia Pacific region.
	Ms. Tonia Yang MDPI Deputy Section Leader (overseas)	Ms. Tonia Yang graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Currently, she serves as Chief Section Managing Editor of Coatings journal and the Deputy Section Leader (overseas) of MDPI Section “Materials Sciences”. Her main responsibilities include the operation of international cooperation projects for the Section “Materials Sciences” and the management of overseas employees in Romania, Poland, Serbia, Spain, the UK, and other regions. Deeply committed to facilitating a productive exchange between editorial teams and scholars, Ms. Yang endeavors to offer customized, top-notch publishing services to enhance the journal’s standing within the international academic community.

The International Day of Zero Waste, jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis. 

Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land, and biodiversity loss, as well as pollution and waste. 

This year’s International Day of Zero Waste, with the theme of “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions. 

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Applied Sciences, Atmosphere, Clean Technologies, Environments, Foods, Nanomaterials, Recycling, Resources, Separations, Sustainability, Urban Science and Waste, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding zero waste.

“Recycling of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Waste Through Delamination with Recoverable Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents”
by Roberta Mastroddi, Chiara Samorì, Martina Vagnoni, Chiara Gualandi, Paola Galletti and Emilio Tagliavini
Separations 2025, 12(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020045

“Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment”
by Konstantina Ragazou, Georgia Zournatzidou, George Sklavos and Nikolaos Sariannidis
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040175

“Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments”
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063

“Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources”
by Priti Pal, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Sanjukta Subudhi, Prakash Kumar Sarangi and Piotr Prus
Foods 2024, 13(18), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183007

“Review on Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management—Challenges and Research Prospects”
by Noushin Islam, Malindu Sandanayake, Shobha Muthukumaran and Dimuth Navaratna
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289

“Enhanced Extraction of Carotenoids from Tomato Industry Waste Using Menthol/Fatty Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Despoina Vlachoudi, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Waste 2023, 1(4), 977-992; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste1040056

“Waste Management in the Smart City: Current Practices and Future Directions”
by Danuta Szpilko, Antonio de la Torre Gallegos, Felix Jimenez Naharro, Agnieszka Rzepka and Angelika Remiszewska
Resources 2023, 12(10), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12100115

“Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review”
by Wojciech Czekała, Jędrzej Drozdowski and Piotr Łabiak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158847

“Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Italy According to EU Directives”
by Patrizia Ghisellini, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
Environments 2023, 10(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070106

“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3D Concrete Printing and Casting Processes for Cementitious Materials Incorporating Ground Waste Tire Rubber”
by Matteo Sambucci, Ilario Biblioteca and Marco Valente
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010015

“Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen and Dr. Daniel Lachos-Perez Submission deadline: 1 July 2025	“Waste Valorization and Management to Increase the Resources Sustainability” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Lisandro Simão and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Tramontin Souza Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery” Guest Editors: Dr. Cheng-Han Lee, Dr. Hsing Jung Ho and Dr. Fan-Wei Liu Submission deadline: 1 August 2025	“New Trends in Liquid and Solid Effluent Treatment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gassan Hodaifa, Dr. Mha Albqmi and Dr. Zacharias Frontistis Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the 2025 International Association for Landscape Ecology—North America (IALE-NA) Annual Meeting, which will be held in Raleigh, United States, from 13 to 17 April 2025. 

The theme of this year’s meeting, “Landscapes of Change: Dynamic Interactions between Nature and People”, will bring together over 500 professionals and students from diverse fields, including geology, ecology, biology, geography, urban and regional planning, and landscape management and design. Discover how MDPI can support your research and academic goals. Our team will be at the booth to discuss MDPI’s submission process, editorial support, and the benefits of open access publishing. Plus, enjoy exciting gifts and exclusive resources that are only available at our booth! Do not miss out on this exciting opportunity.

The following MDPI journals will be present at the conference:

• Land;
• Sustainability;
• Urban Science;
• IJGI;
• Earth;
• Diversity;
• Ecologies;
• Geographies;
• Environments;
• Resources.

22 March marks World Water Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. The theme for World Water Day 2025, “Glacier Preservation”, underscores the critical role glaciers play in sustaining life on Earth. Glaciers are vital natural reservoirs, providing meltwater that is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and the health of ecosystems. However, the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change is creating uncertainty in water availability, with profound consequences for communities, economies, and the planet.

As glaciers shrink, the world faces increasing risks of water scarcity, disruption to ecosystems, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters. Protecting these frozen water resources is not just an environmental imperative but a necessity for ensuring a sustainable future.

Echoing the mission of safeguarding glaciers for generations to come, MDPI’s established journals in the Environmental and Earth Sciences field serve as leading platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to address the water crisis and protect these invaluable natural assets.

Join us in celebrating World Water Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that prioritize glacier preservation. Together, we can work toward a future where water resources are protected, ecosystems thrive, and communities are resilient in the face of climate challenges.

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Physical Vulnerability of The Gambia’s Coastline in the Context of Climate Change”
by Muhammad Leroy Albert Gomez, Kissao Gnandi, Chrétien Ngouanet, Ibrahima Pouye and Joshua Ntajal
World 2025, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010017

“Segmentation of Glacier Area Using U-Net through Landsat Satellite Imagery for Quantification of Glacier Recession and Its Impact on Marine Systems”
by Edmund Robbins, Robert D. Breininger, Maxwell Jiang, Michelle Madera, Ryan T. White and Nezamoddin N. Kachouie
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(10), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12101788

“Evaluating Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Water Scarcity Mitigation in Small Greek Islands under Climate Change”
by Elissavet Feloni and Panagiotis T. Nastos
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062592

“Snow Water Equivalent Monitoring—A Review of Large-Scale Remote Sensing Applications”
by Samuel Schilling, Andreas Dietz and Claudia Kuenzer
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061085

“Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention”
by Stefanos Stefanidis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Vasileios Alexandridis and Giorgos Mallinis
Land 2024, 13(6), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060765

“Comparison of Multiple Methods for Supraglacial Melt-Lake Volume Estimation in Western Greenland During the 2021 Summer Melt Season”
by Nathan Rowley, Wesley Rancher and Christopher Karmosky
Glacies 2024, 1(2), 92-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/glacies1020007

“Microbial Community Abundance and Metabolism Close to the Ice-Water Interface of the Blomstrandbreen Glacier (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard): A Sampling Survey Using an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle”
by Maria Papale, Gabriella Caruso, Giovanna Maimone, Rosabruna La Ferla, Angelina Lo Giudice, Alessandro Ciro Rappazzo, Alessandro Cosenza, Filippo Azzaro, Roberta Ferretti, Rodolfo Paranhos et al.
Water 2023, 15(3), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030556

“Projected Future Flooding Pattern of Wabash River in Indiana and Fountain Creek in Colorado: An Assessment Utilizing Bias-Corrected CMIP6 Climate Data”
by Swarupa Paudel, Neekita Joshi and Ajay Kalra
Forecasting 2023, 5(2), 405-423; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast5020022

“Mountain Cryosphere Landscapes in South America: Value and Protection”
by Sebastián Ruiz-Pereira, Voltaire Alvarado Peterson and Darío Trombotto Liaudat
Conservation 2023, 3(1), 232-246; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3010017

“Diversity and Variability of the Course of Ice Phenomena on the Lakes Located in the Southern and Eastern Part of the Baltic Sea Catchment Area”
by Rajmund Skowron, Pavel Kirvel, Adam Choiński and Ivan Kirvel
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(1), 33-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23010003

Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. This day highlights the critical role of meteorology in understanding and addressing global challenges, particularly the urgent threat of climate change. Climate change is a real and undeniable crisis that poses significant risks to our civilization. Its effects—rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting climate patterns—are already visible and will have catastrophic consequences if immediate action is not taken.

The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in strengthening early warning systems to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related disasters. Early warnings save lives, reduce economic losses, and empower societies to adapt to a changing climate. However, significant gaps remain in global coverage, particularly in developing regions.

Inspired by this mission and reflecting in line with Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action, MDPI’s established journals in the environmental and Earth sciences field serve as vital platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to close the early warning gap and build a more climate-resilient world.

Join us in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that strengthen early warning systems and address the impacts of climate change. Together, we can work toward a future where communities are better prepared, informed, and protected from the growing threats of a changing climate.

Invited speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Establishing an Early Warning System for Dust Storms in Peri-Desert Regions”
by Aishajiang Aili, Abdul Waheed, Xinfeng Zhao and Hailiang Xu
Environments 2024, 11(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11040061

“The Quality Urban Label and the 4Q City Model: Levers for Urban Adaptation and Climate Change Mitigation in Mediterranean Cities”
by Jordi Mazon
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040228

“Forecasting Convective Storms Trajectory and Intensity by Neural Networks”
by Niccolò Borghi, Giorgio Guariso and Matteo Sangiorgio
Forecasting 2024, 6(2), 326-342; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6020018

“Decoding the Atmosphere: Optimising Probabilistic Forecasts with Information Gain”
by John R. Lawson, Corey K. Potvin and Kenric Nelson
Meteorology 2024, 3(2), 212-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/meteorology3020010

“Climate-Change-Driven Droughts and Tree Mortality: Assessing the Potential of UAV-Derived Early Warning Metrics”
by Ewane Basil Ewane, Midhun Mohan, Shaurya Bajaj, G. A. Pabodha Galgamuwa, Michael S. Watt, Pavithra Pitumpe Arachchige, Andrew T. Hudak, Gabriella Richardson, Nivedhitha Ajithkumar, Shruthi Srinivasan et al.
Remote Sens. 2023, 15(10), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102627

“Features of Soil Organic Carbon Transformations in the Southern Area of the East European Plain”
by Fedor N. Lisetskii, Zhanna A. Buryak, Olga A. Marinina, Pavel A. Ukrainskiy and Pavel V. Goleusov
Geosciences 2023, 13(9), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13090278

“Exact Expressions for Lightning Electromagnetic Fields: Application to the Rusck Field-to-Transmission Line Coupling Model”
by Vernon Cooray, Gerald Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein and Farhad Rachidi
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020350

“Advances in Monitoring of Hydrological and Ecological Processes Under Climate Change” Guest Editor: Dr. Haibo Wang Submission deadline: 20 June 2025	“Integrating Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, and Process-Based Modelling for Monitoring Environmental and Agricultural Landscapes Under Climate Change” Guest Editors: Dr. Michael Gbenga Ogungbuyi and Dr. Dimitrios D. Alexakis Submission deadline: 28 June 2025
“Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Well-Being in Developing Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts and Economic Constraints” Guest Editor: Dr. Aya Hagishima Submission deadline: 30 June 2025	“Tropical Cyclones and Their Impacts (2nd Edition)” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Corene Matyas Submission deadline: 30 September 2025
“Early Career Scientists' (ECS) Contributions to Meteorology (2025)” Guest Editor: Dr. Edoardo Bucchignani Submission deadline: 30 November 2025	“Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Bioaerosol Detection, Characterization, and Modeling” Guest Editors: Dr. Salvatore Romano and Dr. Mattia Fragola Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Environ. Earth Sci. Proc., 2023, ECAS 2023 The 6th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences Online | 15–30 October 2023 Organizer: MDPI Atmosphere Volume Editor: Anthony R. Lupo, University of Missouri, USA Full list of the conference proceedings

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are pillars of global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. They are a vital source of essential foods for indigenous and rural communities, offering fruits, nuts, and other resources that are integral to their diets and cultures. Beyond food, forests are a cornerstone of sustainable energy, agriculture, and environmental health. They support pollinators, enrich soil, regulate the climate, and conserve biodiversity, making them critical to the balance of our planet's ecosystems. 

However, deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices threaten forests and the countless benefits they provide. In alignment with the 2025 theme for International Day of Forests, “Forests and Food” and Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action,  MDPI’s established journals in Section “Environmental and Earth Sciences” serve as vital platforms for scientific communication to recognize the urgent need to protect and restore these natural treasures. 

Join us in celebrating International Day of Forests and supporting initiatives that protect these vital ecosystems. Together, we can work toward a future where forests continue to nourish and sustain life for generations to come. 

Invited speakers: 

  Feel free to register for this webinar here! 

“Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach”
by Sanjeev Sharma and Puskar Khanal
Fire 2024, 7(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060205 

“High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure in Montane Coniferous Forests and Grasslands in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA”
by Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin Verble
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 830-846; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040049 

“Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico”
by Carlos Roberto Ávila-Acosta, Marivel Domínguez-Domínguez, César Jesús Vázquez-Navarrete, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech and Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi
Resources 2024, 13(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13030041 

“A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area”
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 

“Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review”
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Alexandra D. Solomou, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Ermioni Malliarou, Miltiadis Athanasiou, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Panos V. Petrakis
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071155 

“Assisted Migration of Sequoiadendron Genotypes for Conservation and Timber: Performance and Morphology in a Warmer Climate Outside of Their Range”
by Christopher M. Valness, William J. Libby and John-Pascal Berrill
Conservation 2023, 3(4), 543-568; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3040035 

“Analysis of Accelerometer Data Using Random Forest Models to Classify the Behavior of a Wild Nocturnal Primate: Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)”
by Amanda Hathaway, Marco Campera, Katherine Hedger, Marianna Chimienti, Esther Adinda, Nabil Ahmad, Muhammed Ali Imron and K. A. I. Nekaris
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 636-653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040042 

“Pinus contorta Alters Microenvironmental Conditions and Reduces Plant Diversity in Patagonian Ecosystems”
by Rafael A. García, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Lohengrin Cavieres, Ana J. Cóbar-Carranza, Kimberley T. Davis, Matías Naour, Martín A. Núñez, Bruce D. Maxwell, Jonas J. Lembrechts and Aníbal Pauchard
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030320 

“Characterizing the Change of Annual Cone Production in Longleaf Pine Forests”
by Xiongwen Chen and John L. Willis
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 220-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020017 

“Physiological Potential of Seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) Determined by the Tetrazolium Test”
by Jailton de Jesus Silva, Raquel Araujo Gomes, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues Ferreira, Claudineia Regina Pelacani and Bárbara França Dantas
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 208-219; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020016